Montemor-o-Velho has one of the only international sized 2 km rowing lakes in Portugal. The lake hosted its first rowing race in 2002 (the Coupe de la Jeunesse), before it was completed. During the competition, FISA judges noted that the lake was not wide enough to meet international standards. After then, it was rebuilt to meet these standards. It hosted the 2010 European Rowing Championships.[4]

Since 2014, the city hosts the Festival Forte that takes place inside the Montemor-o-Velho Castle in Portugal, during the month of August, with the main focus on electronic music, visual and performing arts.